by BJ Hoff
She snapped.
Something exploded inside Ray. He tore across the road, heading for the front porch. The sound of a man shouting and Gracie’s continued shrieks made him pivot and haul himself over to the house. Head down, he went at a crouch, stopping at the narrow front room window, which was open.
He inched his head up just far enough to see his mother and a wailing Gracie standing behind Maggie. Facing them, with a gun in his hand, was Richard Barlow.
Hatred ripped through Ray. Loathing for his former brother-in-law quickly turned to fear. Barlow was shouting for Gracie to stop crying, waving the gun at Maggie like a madman. Maggie looked as if she was about to hurl herself at him. Barlow appeared to be flying apart, the gun in his hand shaking and jerking every which way.
“Get out of the way!” Barlow ordered again, waving the gun.
Gracie wailed louder, her crunched little face scarlet.
Ray’s eyes cut to his mother, clinging to wee Gracie.
His stomach in knots, his hands trembling, Ray shook his head to clear it. In one quiet move, he slipped his rifle from his shoulder and stood just as Maggie took a step toward Barlow, her face pale and drawn.
Ray saw what she intended. Barlow trained the gun directly at her head, and Ray knew what was going to happen.
Barlow sidestepped, half turning toward the window with the move, his gun still leveled on Maggie.
Ray brought his rifle up and took aim just as his sister stepped forward.
When the explosion shattered the room, Maggie screamed and bent double, waiting for the pain, waiting to fall. She looked up and saw Richard, a look of astonishment whipping across his face, grab his chest. The gun clattered to the floor as he went down.
Maggie stared in stunned disbelief at the man at her feet, blood seeping from his chest, his eyes locked open in amazement. Finally, she found her wits and stumbled toward her mother to lift the screaming Gracie from her arms. Cuddling the baby against her heart, she stood shaking, staring at the lifeless body on the floor as she hushed and soothed her hysterical child.
Ray charged into the room, rifle in hand, stopping only long enough to nudge the body on the floor with one foot before going to Maggie and his mother.
“Are you all right?”
Maggie nodded, choking on a sob. “Richard—”
“Richard’s dead.”
At the sound of Ray’s voice, Gracie squirmed in search of him, and after placing the rifle on the floor, Ray gave her his fingers to clutch. She watched him, her choked sobs finally easing as she held onto his thumb.
Maggie noticed her brother’s hand was shaking. “Ray? Are you all right?”
He looked at her, his gaze starting to clear now. Finally he nodded. “I had to shoot him, Mags. I had to.”
“I know…I know you did. You had no choice. You saved our lives, Ray…mine and Mum’s. And Gracie’s as well. You did what you had to do.”
The three of them were still standing there, huddled together, when a white-faced Jonathan lunged through the door, Da right behind him.
Chapter Twenty-nine
A Child Is Born
The hope lives on, age after age.
George William Russell
Nearly a week later, the investigation wrapped up and Ray was exonerated by the authorities, the entire family enjoying a hard-won peace.
Jonathan and Maggie again made plans to break the news they’d been holding back for days. Without giving anything away, Jonathan let the MacAuleys know that Sunday was to be a special day, one not to be compromised by extraneous events except in an emergency situation.
That “emergency situation” arrived late Saturday night when Judson Tallman showed up at the Stuart’s house. Jonathan and Maggie were sound asleep when they heard pounding on the front door well past midnight. By the time Jonathan found his robe and eyeglasses and stumbled down the steps, the pounding came again, louder this time.
Disoriented and struggling to focus his eyes, Jonathan opened the door to find Kenny’s father in a state. Somewhat disheveled, he appeared highly agitated and harried. In fact, Tallman didn’t look like himself at all.
“Mr. Stuart. I apologize. But it’s Anna! She’s—the baby is coming! She’s asking for your wife.” His words spilled out in a breathless volley as he wrung his hands.
Maggie was already on her way down the steps. She came up behind Jonathan. “Mr. Tallman! What is it? Is it Anna? Is it her time?”
Tallman wilted with relief at the sight of Maggie. “Yes! Yes, it’s the baby. Maggie—Mrs. Stuart—will you come? Anna said she’d asked you to be with her for the birthing.”
“Yes, of course I’ll come. Just give me a few minutes.”
“Thank you. Anna will be most grateful. Kenneth has gone for Dr. Gordon, so Anna sent me to collect you.”
At Jonathan’s insistence, Tallman came inside to wait while Maggie dressed. In the living room the mine superintendent recovered his usual air of stiff formality. “I apologize for disturbing you and your wife, but Anna was set on my fetching Maggie—Mrs. Stuart.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Judson.” Jonathan purposely used Tallman’s given name, hoping to break through a layer or two of the other’s defenses and put him more at ease.
He motioned for him to sit down, but when Tallman remained standing, Jonathan did likewise.
“This is an exciting time,” Jonathan said, hoping to help the man relax. “Is Anna doing all right?”
At last Tallman managed a deep breath. “I think so. Anna never complains. She insists she’s quite all right.”
“And Kenny?”
“He’s…ah…very nervous. Very nervous.”
Jonathan couldn’t stop a smile. “Well, I imagine that’s to be expected. I’m sure everything will be fine. And this will be your first grandchild, isn’t that so?”
Tallman looked startled, as if this fact hadn’t yet occurred to him. “Why…yes. Yes, that’s right.”
Jonathan continued his attempts to make conversation, noting that Tallman was obviously trying to control—even conceal—his nervousness. He kept glancing toward the stairway. Seeing no sign of Maggie, he would then turn his attention back to Jonathan, as if preparing himself for the next question.
“Maggie thinks highly of Anna, you know. She truly values their friendship.”
Tallman nodded. “Anna is a good woman. Kenneth is very fortunate.”
“And so is Anna,” Jonathan couldn’t resist saying.
“Oh yes. Yes, indeed.”
Jonathan expelled his own breath of relief when Maggie came hurrying into the room, dressed and ready to leave.
At the door, he squeezed her hand and told her goodbye. He then turned to Judson Tallman and said, “I’ll be praying for all of you.”
Tallman shot him an awkward but not ungrateful look before following Maggie out the door.
Jonathan watched until Tallman’s buggy disappeared into the night. He remained sleepless after going back to bed, so he spent the time in prayer. He lifted up Anna, Kenny, and the baby, and also Judson Tallman, a man who always seemed excessively keen on protecting himself from any display of feeling—or any sense of faith in God.
He smiled a little at the thought of the stoic, stone-faced Welshman at the mercy of the charming Anna and the coming new baby. Judson Tallman couldn’t possibly know how much his life was about to change.
Maggie worked hard to hide her nervousness on the drive to the Tallman house. The mine superintendent seemed wound tightly enough on his own. He certainly didn’t need a show of anxiety on her part.
In truth, though, she was frightened nearly to the point of being sick. She hadn’t wanted to do this. It had taken an act of sheer will to agree when Anna asked her to attend the baby’s birthing. If she weren’t so fond of Anna….
Well, I am fond of her, I did promise, and so here I am.
She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the stomach spasms. Never in her life had she seen a baby born. She knew o
nly the narrowest facts about the entire process, little more than what she’d overheard from snippets of conversation from her mother and other women. Even in Chicago most of her friends were as ignorant about giving birth as she was.
And then there was what happened to Eva Grace. Her sister’s entire waiting time had been difficult, even painful, finally resulting in her death. Consequently, when she thought of watching Anna give birth, fear gripped her. She had all she could do not to concede to raw terror.
She suspected her mother sensed her misgivings. When Maggie told her about Anna’s request, Mum had fixed one of her long, searching looks on her and said bluntly, “And you’re all right with that, then? You mustn’t give your word for something so important unless you’re quite certain you can keep it.”
Maggie had assured her that this was something she felt compelled to do for Anna and that she would be just fine. Her mother had seemed satisfied, yet Maggie had noticed her watching her now and then that same afternoon with a thoughtful expression.
At the moment Maggie wanted to tell Mr. Tallman to turn the buggy around and take her home. But she couldn’t do that. Moreover, Kenny would probably need someone to talk with and wait with tonight. And from everything she’d seen of his somber-faced father, he would be of little comfort.
Maggie stole a glance at Judson Tallman, whose features seemed set in stone as he stared straight ahead. She couldn’t stop a small sigh at the thought of Kenny growing up with this hard, seemingly cold, undemonstrative man to parent him. And now there was Anna. Anna and a baby on the way. Judson Tallman was in for a shock.
A smile slowly broke across her face. At least for the moment her heart lightened. Who knew better than she what a difference a baby could make in someone’s life, even in the life of a man like Judson Tallman?
Upon entering, Maggie went directly upstairs to Anna. Her friend was well into labor. To Maggie’s dismay, Dr. Gordon and Kenny hadn’t arrived yet. Anxiety returned in full force, but she managed what she hoped was a brave face and a reassuring smile as she took Anna’s hand.
“Oh, Maggie, you came! I’m so grateful.”
Maggie bent to brush a strand of hair away from her friend’s face. “Of course, I came. I promised, didn’t I?”
“Has Ken come with the doctor yet?” Anna asked, gripping Maggie’s hand with surprising strength.
“Not just yet, but I’m sure they’ll be here any minute now. Can I do anything for you?”
Anna smiled and shook her head. “Just…keep an eye on Ken once they get here. He’s terribly nervous. You’ll have to be a rock for him—for both of us, I’m afraid.”
Maggie suppressed a groan. She didn’t feel like anyone’s “rock.” She felt like mush. Even so, she managed to keep a smile in place. “Kenny will do just fine. And so will you.”
“Oh, I believe I shall,” Anna asserted. “I’m not so sure about Ken.”
Maggie sat down beside her on the bed. “Is there anything you want, dear? Anything at all I can do?”
Again Anna shook her head. “Just stay with me. And Maggie?”
Maggie leaned toward her.
“I don’t want Ken in the room while I’m in labor. He’s agreed, although I don’t think he understands. But you do, don’t you?”
Maggie didn’t understand anything about this entire ordeal, but at the moment it seemed best to agree with anything her friend said. “Whatever you want, Anna.”
“He’d only get himself into a state, and that won’t help me at all. Only another woman can understand the act of giving birth. My mother said my father was the bravest man she’d ever known until he entered the birthing room, and then he turned into a coward. Poor man—and there were five of us.”
Maggie laughed in spite of herself. Her humor was short-lived when a sharp labor pain seized Anna and she cried out. Maggie shot to her feet, still holding the other’s hand.
After the pain had passed, Anna gave her a weak smile. “You have a very strong grip, did you know that?”
Just then Mr. Tallman cleared his throat from where he’d apparently been waiting in the hallway. “Anna, are you all right? Can I do anything? Get you anything?”
Maggie and Anna exchanged a look. “Anna’s fine, Mr. Tallman,” Maggie called out. “She’s doing just fine.”
“Yes…well—” Again he cleared his throat. “I’ll wait downstairs then. Kenneth will be coming with the doctor soon.”
“I think my pains are coming closer together now,” Anna said after a moment. “I wish the doctor would make an appearance soon.”
It struck Maggie that she wished the exact same thing even more.
Kenny’s father didn’t stay downstairs long. In a few minutes he was back, asking if there was anything he could do. Maggie sent him to boil water.
“Lots of water, Mr. Tallman, please,” she ordered. That was one thing she did know. Women having babies always needed boiled water, though she had no idea why.
Minutes later the pains were coming much more frequently and with more intensity. Maggie stood in awe before Anna’s calm and her continuing cheerfulness despite the pain so obviously gripping her.
“Does it hurt terribly, Anna?” she asked, and then could have kicked herself. “Oh, what a stupid thing to say! I’m so sorry.”
Between pains, Anna reassured her. “It’s not stupid at all. And, yes, it hurts. But then most things of value don’t come to us easily, do they? This child is going to be worth every single…ah…” She gasped as another pain seized her. Maggie bent to lay a cool cloth on her forehead, and Anna squeezed her hand in gratitude. “You’re doing wonderfully, Maggie,” she said with a smile.
“I’m doing wonderfully?” Maggie almost laughed at the absurdity of Anna’s assurance. “You’re the one having the baby, Anna. And you’re incredible!” In that instant she heard the downstairs door open and close. The sound of voices came up the stairs. Kenny and Dr. Gordon!
Thank You, Lord! Maggie prayed.
She heard Kenny come at a run, taking the steps at least three at a time, followed by Dr. Gordon, warning him to slow down lest he break a leg.
Anna gave him only a moment after he charged into the room before ordering him out. “Now, Ken. I mean it!”
Maggie stepped aside so he could lean to kiss Anna before she threatened him again.
He left the room like a recalcitrant schoolboy headed for the principal’s office, casting a wide-eyed look of anxiety at Maggie as he went.
“Good girl, Anna,” the doctor said, making ready to examine her. “The birthing room is no place for a man. They haven’t the stomach for it.”
When Maggie offered to leave while the doctor examined her, Anna gripped her hand with such force she winced. “No. Stay, Maggie. Please.”
Maggie stayed.
“Ah! We’re doing nicely, Anna,” Dr. Gordon stated. “Sorry it took me so long to get here. I was at the Finnegans delivering Mary’s baby. I’ve never quite understood why babies seem to delight in making a grand entrance late at night and all at the same time. Anyway, your husband was waiting for me at my house when I got back.”
She glanced at Maggie. “Bring me my case, would you, Maggie? Over there on the chair by the door. Anna, your husband is in quite a fix. I thought I might have to treat him before we got here.” She laughed quietly.
In the throes of another labor pain, Anna nevertheless managed to say, “Oh, he’s been just awful tonight. I hope this doesn’t take much longer.”
Setting the medical case at the foot of the bed, Maggie went back to Anna and took her hand.
“Actually, my dear,” said Dr. Gordon, rising from her chair at the foot of the bed, “it’s not going to take much longer at all. Give me one more good push, now. And another. Yes! Here we go!” She shot a look at Maggie. “Don’t you faint on me now, Maggie Stuart. You’ve done well so far.”
Just before she turned her attention back to her work, she added, “I expect we’ll be doing this for you one day.”
Her words set off an alarm in Maggie’s head. Something at the back of her mind struggled for attention. So much had happened and in such a brief time. So much.
But something else hadn’t happened…not for some time now. She drew in a startled breath, choked, and made a small sound of recognition.
The doctor looked up. “What? What’s wrong?”
Maggie looked at her, pulled in yet another sharp breath, and again choked. “I…nothing…nothing is wrong. I don’t think…I just might need to talk with you…later.”
Dr. Gordon gave her a measuring look through narrowed eyes, but only for a second or two. “That’s fine,” she said, clearly distracted by the more important event taking place.
Maggie quietly exited the room more than an hour later to give Kenny and Anna their privacy. Anna looked wan and exhausted, but she was smiling at her new son held securely in the crook of her arm. Kenny stood watching, a slightly dazed smile about to crack his face in half.
She waited in the kitchen with Judson Tallman. He actually talked to her most of the time. They talked about the baby, about Kenny’s experiences on the mission field, and about Anna, of whom he was unabashedly fond.
Maggie suspected she was witnessing a side of the mine superintendent seldom seen before. His face was alive with an enthusiasm she would have previously thought impossible for the man. Not only did he seem on fire with excitement, but the usually dark house blazed with light. Candles, kerosene lamps, and hallway sconces glowed. It was like being in a different house entirely.
They were deep in conversation about the prospects of the school—the new school that she and Anna would manage—when Kenny walked into the kitchen holding the baby.
His father nearly knocked over the chair as he jumped to his feet, but he said nothing.
Maggie also stood, enjoying the look of pride and happiness shining in Kenny’s eyes.
It struck her in that moment that in spite of the fear that preyed on her, she wanted to see that look on Jonathan’s face someday. The pride, the elation of holding his own newborn.